Street drinking: Start having your say

Boozing in the streets - it's a top topic in Boston, so don't miss your chance to influence how the borough council and the police deal with it.

Consultation with you starts tomorrow (Thursday, November 6) when you can have your say on this vital issue. Look out for council officers near the craft market in Boston Market Place from 10am to noon, and again on Thursday, November 27, from noon to 2pm

Earlier this year 97 per cent of all who responded to earlier consultation said they would support tougher controls on street drinking in a designated area in Boston town centre.

Now new legislation permits the council to introduce a Public Space Prohibition Order, prohibiting consumption of alcohol in a designated area.

The law requires the council to consult again before bringing in the new rules which will permit police to cause a person to stop drinking or surrender alcohol in the control area without the previous need for the consumption to be accompanied by anti-social behaviour, or the threat of anti-social behaviour.

Under the new rules any person failing to stop drinking when requested will be committing an offence and can be arrested and fined - £100 for a first offence and up to £500 for a second offence committed within six months of the first.

The final consultation round will last from this Friday (November 7) until November 30.

You can also have your say on this vital issue: By post to PSPO Consultation, Community Safety Team, Municipal Buildings, West Street, Boston, PE21 8QR; by email to community.safety@boston.gov.uk title your email PSPO Consultation; or complete an online form at www.boston.gov.uk/PSPOConsultation10-14 where you can see a detailed map showing the proposed enforcement area.